Act I
Who is the Ghost?
King Hamlet/Hamlet's father
What do Reynaldo and Polonius discuss?
Laertes
What character is best described by these two words: pompous and crafty?
Polonius
What does Fortinbras want from Denmark. Why?
He wants his land back, because King Hamlet took it when he killed the King of Norway.
in the context of Hamlet, what is a "flourish?"
trumpets/fanfare announcing the King.
Where is the Court located (city and country)?
Elsinore, Denmark
How does Hamlet know Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
they are childhood friends
Who are Voltemand and Cornelius?
courtiers who bring news of Fortinbras' treaty to Claudius
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were sent to Denmark in order to
check up on Hamlet
When Polonius says "Chop my head off if I'm wrong," that's most likely an example of what?
foreshadowing
Who are Marcellus and Bernardo?
guards who first see the ghost
In Act II, why is Hamlet so distraught for most of it?
He is unsure about killing Claudius/ needs to avenge his father.
What is the relationship of Reynaldo to Polonius?
servant to master
What does the ghost command Hamlet to do at the end of Act I?
avenge him
When Polonius says a person talks too much, that is an example of what?
irony
Why does Hamlet think "all is not well" ? Give two reasons.
Ghost has armor on
Fortinbras is demanding his land back; more guards
Why is the arrival of the Players so important to Act II?
They give Hamlet the resolve to stop moping around and take action.
How are Hamlet and Fortinbras similar? Give at least two reasons.
They are both Princes of countries.
They must both avenge their father.
What does Hamlet mean when he says "the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the consicence of the King"?
He's going to use the Players to see if Claudius is guilty.
If "family" is a topic, what might be a theme? give two examples
you can't trust family.
you can't choose family.
What does Ophelia do after Polonius forbids her from seeing Hamlet again?
She obeys him
What is the significance of the Trojan Horse story that the First Player recites for Hamlet?
it is similar to what is going on around him (deception, betrayal)
Why does Hamlet pretend to be crazy?
He wants to distract people so they don't figure out he's planning something
Why does Polonius think Hamlet is crazy?
because Hamlet is in love with Ophelia.
What do you think is the overall theme of the play, given on what you now so far? (Think Fortinbras and Hamlet)
revenge